Folding machine



March 17, 1942- c. J. MALHIOT FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet J .77 Clarence J Wei/2:65

March 17, 1942.

C. J. MALHIOT 'FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March17, 1942. c.- J; MALHloT 2,276,534

- March 17, 1942. c; fibT 2,276,584

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ClarencefL/WaZ/zcbZ' Patented Mar. 17, 1942 UETE ST FOLDING MACHINE Clarence J.Malhiot, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to F. B. Redington 00., Chicago, 11].,a corporation of Illinois Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,203

12 Claims.

This invention relates to folding machines in general, and particularlyto folding machines for folding a wrapper in a predetermined mannerabout an article.

The primary object of the present invention a Fig. 7 is a detailsectional view of an article showing the complete fold; and I Fig. 8 isa detail elevational view of some of the operating structure, on theline 8-8 of Fig. 2.

The particular machine herein shown for the purpose of illustrating theinvention includes mechanism for forming a druggist fold in the wrapperin which the article is wrapped. The wrapper is in the form of a sheetof pre-cut paper It in which the article H is to be wrapped, Fig. 1. Thesheet II] is fed to apredetermined position where it is engaged by thearticle to be wrapped and forced into position in av pocket or holder l2in a conveying mechanismlB. The mechanism 13, in the present instance,comprises a wrapping wheel l4, although it isto be undermoving theconveyor to folding position, and

which is provided with new and improved means for effecting a druggistfold longitudinally of the article in predetermined steps.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved meansfor conveying an arti-' cle to a predetermined position and thenintermittently operate devices to effect a druggist fold.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrapping machine whichis provided with an oscillating tucker blade to tuck the free ends of awrapper in a predetermined manner, which is provided with an oscillatoryfolder to turn the free ends in a predetermined position, and which isprovided with an oscillatory folder bar cooperating with the oscillatorymovement of the folder to effect the proper folding arrangement.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of new andimproved means for successively causing folds or bends in the free edgesof the wrapper and then finally turning and folding the free edges ofthe wrapper to comprise a longitudinal seam or fold of the type normallycalled a druggist fold, the parts causing the various folding operationsbeing properly correlated and synchronized so as to operate at properviews of some of the folding mechanism showing the various foldingsteps;

stood that a straight line conveyor, or any other conveying mechanismcapable of performing the function, may be used; The holder or pocketmembers l2 in the embodiment herein shown comprise pivotally mountedspring pressed fingers l5 projecting radially from the wrapping wheell4, and co-operate with theother parts of the holder or pocket members 2to support the articles.

The wrapping wheel It comprises a pair of spaced disks or plates l6 andI1, Fig. 2, which are mounted for rotation on a rotating shaft. It. Thedisks or plates l6 and H are of relatively rigid construction,preferably being made of cast iron. The disk I6. is fixed to the shaftl8 by means of a pin l9, while the disk ll, being splined to the shaftI8, is free to be moved inwardly and outwardly so as to accommodatearticles of different lengths. The disk or plate I! may include a collar20 rigidly connected thereto so that the disk may be operated by a plate2! to move the disk longitudinally along the shaft l8, Fig. 2. The disksor plates l6 and I! rotate together and form the wrapping wheel 14 whichsupports the articles H. Each of the disks includes the holders [2 andfingers. l5 which are in alinement to receive the article H to bewrapped, the

article being supported at its ends by the parts l2 and IE on the disksl6 and IT. The shaft [8 is intermittently rotated by means of 2. Genevamotion comprising a Geneva wheel 22 and a driver 23. The driver 23 ismounted on a suitably driven shaft 24, whereby rotation of the shaft 24will operate the driver 23. The driver 23 engages the surfacessurrounding the slots 25 in the Geneva wheel and causes intermittentrotation of the wheel.

The article II with its out wrapper Hl partly formed thereabout is movedby the wrapping wheel M to folding position, as shown in Fig. 1, andmore particularly as shown in Fig. 3. As the article with its wrapper ismoved to folding position, the upper edge 26 of the wrapper, Fig.

3, will be engaged by a finger 21 which tends to force the free edge 26in a downwardly direction toward the article, in the position shown inFig. 3. The article with the wrapper is maintained in the position shownin Fig. 3 for a predetermined length of time until the wrapper isengaged by a tucker blade 23. The tucker blade 28 moves in an arcuatedirection, being fixed to a shaft 29. As the tucker blade swings tooperative position it will first engage the side or edge 30 of thewrapper i3, Fig. 3, and then fold the free ends of the wrapper into afolding pocket 3!, Fig. 4. The folding pocket 3! is formed by therelative position ofa folder member 32 with respect to a folder bar 33,Fig. 4.

The lower edge of the finger 27, Figs. 3 and 4, extends a predetermineddistance below the fiat straight surface 34 of the folder 32 so as tomaintain the free ends of the tucked-in wrapper in the position shown inFig. 4 during the return movement of the tucker blade 28. As the tuckerblade 28 recedes to inoperative position, the folder 32 is given .a partrotation, causing the extending free ends of the wrapper to be foldeddown against the side of the wrapper and become somewhat squeezedbetween the folding bar 33 and the fiat side 34 of the folder 32, asshown in Fig. 5.

The folder 32 comprises a transverse shaft 35, Fig. 2, part of which iscut to provide the fiat side 34. The shaft 35 is suitably mounted in apart 36 rigid with a part of the machine frame 37. The shaft 35 has apinion 38 rigidly fixed thereto, being positioned immediately behind thebearing portion 36, which is driven by a segment 39, Fig. 2. The segment'39 is loosely mounted on the shaft I3 and carries .a cam roller Gilwhich engages a race or groove in a cam 41!. The cam Al is rigidlysecured to a main drive shaft 62 which is operated by a gear 43 drivenin any suitable manner, such as by an electric motor, not shown. Themain drive shaft 42 may also operate the driver 23 to drive the Genevawheel 22. Rotation of the shaft 42 causes oscillatory movement of thesegment 39, such oscillatory movement being transmitted to the shaft 35,causing oscillatory movement of the folder 32. The oscillatory movementof the folder 32 is through an arc of approximately one hundred twentydegrees, the folder moving from its normal position, shown in Fig. 3, toits final folding position, shown in Fig. 6.

The tucker blade 28 is mounted on a lever 44 rigidly secured to theshaft 29 which is mounted for oscillatory movement. The shaft 29, uponwhich the tucker blade 28 is mounted, is operatively mounted in asuitable bearing formed as a part of the supporting frame 31, and isoscillated by an operating lever 45, Fig. l, which is fixed to the shaft29. The lever 45 is connected by means of a link 46 to a cam lever 41which is in the form of a bell crank, Fig. l. The bell crank 41 has .itsarm 458 carrying a cam roller 4-9 which co-operates with a groove in acam 50 rigidly mounted on the main drive shaft 52, Fig. 2.

The mechanisms for operating the wrapping wheel l4, the folder 3.2, andthe tucking blade 28 are properly correlated and synchronized to operatein proper timed relationship with respect to each other to perform thesuccessive folding operations at the proper time intervals.

After the tucking blade 2-3 has tucked the wrapper in the position shownin Fig. 4, and the folder has moved to the position shown in Fig. 5,

the folder bar 33 is caused to oscillate in the same direction as theoscillatory movement of the folder 32, moving from the position shown inFig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6. During this latter oscillatorymovement of the folder, the next intermittent movement of the wrappingwheel takes place, causing the package to be moved from the positionshown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6. The fold is thenpressed down against the body of the package as the package is forcedbeneath a stationary guide 5| and a completed fold 52 is formed, asshown in Fig. '7. The stationary guide 5| is secured to a block 53,Figs. 3 to 6, mounted on a bracket 54 by means of cap screws 55. Theretaining finger 21 may likewise be made rigid with the bracket 56 bymeans of screws 56. Fig. 1.

The folding bar 33 is in the form of a longitudinal bar relativelyrectangular in cross section, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5. The left end,Fig. 2, of the bar 33 terminates in a circular shaft 57 which is mountedin a bearing comprising a spring mounted block 58 and a rigid bearingpart 59. The part 59 of the bearing is formed integral with the bracket54 which is rigidly secured to a part of the supporting frame structure37, Fig. 2. The bearing part 58 frictionally engages the shaft 5!because of the springs 60, thereby maintaining friction against theshaft so that the shaft is maintained in its moved position.

The folding bar 33 is given delayed oscillatory movement by an operatingarm 6| rigidly mounted to the end of the shaft 35, which comprises anintegral part of the folder 32. The operating arm 6i carries anoperating pin 62, Fig. 2, which co-operates with a yoke member .63rigidly secured to the circular shaft part 5! of the folder bar 33. Theoperating arm BI is fixed to the end of the shaft 35 (to the left, Fig.2) by directly fastening it thereto by a screw 64, Fig. 8, threadedlyengaging the end of the shaft. The arm 6| may be provided with a cut-outor notched portion 65 to allow the folder bar 33 to oscillateindependently of the operating arm 6 l.

The yoke 63 comprises a straight portion arranged between two projectingfingers 65 and Bl, Figs. 3 to 6. The shaft part 51 of the folding bar 33derives its movement from the folder 32 by means of the pin 62 engagingthe yoke 63. When the folder shaft 35 oscillates, the pin 62 is givenoscillating movement which is partly transmitted to the yoke 63 byengagement with either of the projecting fingers 66 and 61. Theoscillatory movement of the pin 62 has no effect on the yoke 63 duringmovement of the pin between the fingers 66 and 61. However, as shown inFig. 5, when the pin 62 is in engagement with the finger 6'! on the yoke63, the yoke 63 is caused to swing on its pivot with the shaft 51,thereby transmitting motion to the folder bar 33, moving it from theposition shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6. As the folder32 returns to normal inoperative position, the pin 62 will engage thefinger 36 and return the yoke from the position shown in Fig. 6 to itsnormal position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The folder 32, which includes the shaft 35 and the fiat side 34 thereon,is under-cut, as shown at 38 and 53 in Fig. 2, to accommodate theretaining finger 2'! and to cause the same to lie in close proximity tothe center of the shaft and to be positioned properly with respect tothe ends of the wrapper to retain them in the position shown in Fig. 4.

The sheet I is fed by feed rollers 10, Fig. 1, to a stop member H whereit is engaged by the article I I which moves in the direction indicatedby the arrow so as to intersect the wrapper and move it in position inthe pocket of a holder l2. The articles I l are fed successively andintermittently to position to the conveyor where they are movedintermittently to folding position. The sheets [0 may be pre-cut or theymay be fed from a continuous web of material and then cut to the propersize by cutters I2, Fig. 1.

Operation The Geneva wheel 22 is moved intermittently to foldingposition by means of the driver 23. When the article with the wrapper l0partly folded thereabout arrives at folding position, the tucker blade28 will engage the overhanging free ends of the wrapper and tuck or foldthem in the position shown in Fig. 4. whereby they will be engaged inthe pocket and lying against the extended end of the finger 21. Afterthe tucker blade 28 has formed the wrapper, as shown in Fig. 4, thetucker blade will return to normal inoperative position. During thereturn movement of the tucker blade, however, the folder 32 will becaused to move from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shownin Fig. 5, whereby the free ends of the wrapper will be squeezedtogether in the position shown in Fig. 5. lying be tween the flat side34 of the folder 32 and the folder bar 33, Fig. 5. After the folder 32has moved to a predetermined position, the pin 62 will engage a lug orfinger 6'! on the yoke 63 and cause the folder bar 33 to move from theposition shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6. The nextintermittent movement of the Geneva wheel 22 will move the article withits wrapper beneath the forward edge of the stationary guide 5|, wherebythe fold 52 will be completed and tightly pressed against the side ofthe article, as shown in Fig. 7. After one complete fold has been madethe folder 32 will move from the position shown in Fig. 6 to its normalposition shown in Fig. 3. The return movement of the folder 332,however, will cause the pin 62 to engage the finger 65 on the yoke 63and return the yoke 63 to normal position whereby the parts are ready tocommence the next succeeding folding operation on the next wrapper.

In the formation of the fold 52, the upper part 26 of the wrapper IDwill be engaged by the finger 21, as shown in Fig. 3. The tucker blade28 will then engage the underside 3!) of the wrapper l8 and form apartial fold 80, Fig. 4, with a crease at the edge as indicated at 8 I,whereby there will be provided the downwardly extending free ends orflaps 82 and. 83, the underside of the flap 83 engaging the outside ofthe side or edge 30 of the wrapper Hi. This partial fold 80, Fig. 5, isthen folded more tightly together because of the operation of the folder32 squeezing or pressing the partial fold 88 against the folder bar 33.After the squeezing or pressing operation. the partial fold 80 is againsqueezed more tightly to gether by the operation of the fold-er bar 33,as shown in Fig. 6. The folding operation is completed by bending orfolding the material It at the point indicated at 34, Fig. 6. Theforming of the fold 52 is finally completed by the pressing of thepartial fold against the article whereby the free ends 82 and 83 will beturned underheath the partial fold 89 and against the body of thearticle.

pleted by the final folding at 84, FigfB, the guide 5| will cause thefolded parts to lie tightly and firmly against the body of the articlein the manner as shown in Fig. 7.

The folding operation, therefore, consists generally in having thefolder blade fold'the free ends of the wrapper in a direction toward thearticle being wrapped to form a partial fold, and then folding the twoparts 26 and 30 of the wrapper at a point below the free ends of thepartial fold, as indicated by the numeral 84. This fold or crease 84 iseffected reversely as regards the part 30 of the wrapper, but extendslengthwise or tangentially with respect to the part 26 of the wrapper.

After the longitudinal fold 52 is provided, end tucking means (notshown) are provided for folding and tucking in the wrapper at each endof the article.

The invention provides a machine comprising rigid and durable partswhich are properly synchronized to form successively certain foldingsteps or operations in accordance with a predetermined plan. The partsare rigid and durable in construction, efficient in operation and areproperly synchronized, being driven from a common prime mover so as toassure proper operation in the proper sequence.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all suchchanges as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

, tioned relatively close to said article and having a folding surfacenormally extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the surfaceof the article, a rotatable folder having a substantially flat surfacecooperating with said surface of the folder bar to provide an angularfolding pocket having a relatively wide opening, a pivotally mountedtucker blade swingable into and out of said pocket for bringing saidfree ends into contacting relationship and partially folding thecontacting ends within the pocket, and means for rotating said folderwith respect to said folder bar to decrease the angle of said pocket andeffect further folding of the wrapper against said surface of the folderbar.

2. A wrapping machine for forming a druggist fold in a wrapper about anarticle comprising an oscillating tucker blade engageable with thewrapper, a rotatable folder and a rotatably mounted folder barco-operating with the tucker blade to partially fold the free ends ofthe wrapper together and position the free ends of the wrapper apredetermined distance from the fold, means for rotating said folder toform a .fold in the wrapper, and means driven by said folder after apredetermined rotation thereof for rotating said folder bar to press thefold down against the article.

3. A wrapping machine comprising means for maintaining a wrapper in apredetermined position, and means for folding said wrapper com- Afterthe fold has been com-i prising a tucker blade, a rotatable folderhaving a flat side, a rotatable folder bar having a flat sidecooperating with the folder to provide a pocket, means for moving thetucker blade into contacting relationship with the wrapper to partiallyfold the wrapper in said pocket, means for returning the tucker blade tonormal position, means for effecting rotation to the folder when thetucker blade returns to normal position, and means co-operating betweenthe folder and the folder bar to drive the folder bar from the folderafter a predetermined rotation of the folder.

4. A wrapping machine comprising means for maintaining a wrapper in apredetermined position, and mean for folding said wrapper comprising atucker blade, a folder having a flat side adapted for engagement with apart of the wrapper, means for moving the tucker blade into contactingrelationship with the Wrapper, means for returning the tucker blade tonormal position, means for effecting a part rotation to the folder whenthe tucker blade returns to normal position, a folder bar co-operatingwith the folder, means for returning the folder to initial position, andmeans including a loose driving connection between said folder and saidfolder bar for oscillating said folder bar during predetermined portionsof rotation of the folder.

5. A wrapping machine comprising means for maintaining a wrapper in apredetermined position with respect to an article partially enclosedtherein, and means for folding said wrapper comprising a folder barnormally positioned relatively close to said article and having afolding surface normally extending in a direction generallyperpendicular to the surface of the article, a rotatable folder having asubstantially flat surface cooperating with said surface of the folderbar to provide an angular folding pocket having a relatively wideopening, a pivotally mounted tucker blade swingable into and out of saidpocket to partially fold the free ends of the wrapper therein, and meansfor rotating said folder while maintaining said folder bar substantiallystationary to decrease the angle of said pocket and effect furtherfolding of the wrapper against said surface of the folder bar.

6. A wrapping machine comprising means for maintaining a wrapper in apredetermined position with respect to an article partially enclosedtherein, and means for folding said wrapper comprising a folder barnormally positioned relatively close to said article and having afolding surface normally extending in a direction generallyperpendicular to the surface of the article, a rotatable folder having asubstantially flat surface cooperating with said surface of the folderbar to provide an angular folding pocket having a relatively wideopening, a pivotally mounted tucker blade swingable into and out of saidpocket to partially fold the. free ends of the wrapper therein, meansfor rotating said folder with respect to said folder bar to decrease theangle of said pocket and effect further folding of the Wrapper againstsaid surface of the folder bar, and means for thereafter rotating saidfolder and folder bar in unison.

'7. A wrapping machine comprising means for maintaining a wrapper in apredetermined position with respect to an article partially enclosedtherein, and means for folding said wrapper comprising a folder barnormally positioned relatively close to said article and having afolding surface normally extending in a direction generallyperpendicular to the surface of the article, a rotatable folder having asubstantially flat surface cooperating with said surface of the folderbar to provide an angular folding pocket having a relatively wideopening, a pivotally mounted tucker blade swingable into and out of saidpocket to partially fold the free ends of the wrapper therein, and amember normally extending over a portion of the opening of said pocketand engageable with the free ends of said wrapper to maintain thepartially folded wrapper in the pocket upon withdrawal of said tuckerblade.

8. In a wrapping machine of the character described, a rotatable shafthaving a flattened portion providing a folder surface, a folder barpositioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of said shaft andmounted for rotation about said axis, said folder bar having a foldersurface cooperating with said surface of the shaft, means for effectingpredetermined rotation of said shaft with respect to said folder bar,and means for thereafter rotating said shaft and folder bar in unison.

9. In a wrapping machine of the character described, a rotatable shafthaving a flattened portion providing a folder surface, a folder barpositioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of said shaft andmounted for rotation about said axis, said folder bar having a foldersurface cooperating with said surface of the shaft, means for effectingpredetermined rotation of said shaft with respect to said folder barwhile maintaining said folder bar substantially stationary, and meansfor thereafter rotating said shaft and folder bar in unison.

10. In a wrapping machine of the character described, a rotatable shafthaving a flattened portion providing a folder surface, a folder barpositioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of said shaft andmounted for rotation about said axis, said folder bar having a foldersurface cooperating with said surface of the shaft, means for effectingpredetermined rotation of said shaft with respect to said folder bar,resilient bearing means for maintaining said folder bar substantiallystationar during said predetermined rotation of the shaft, and means forthereafter rotating said shaft and folder bar in unison.

11. In a wrapping machine of the character described, a rotatable shafthaving a flattened portion providing a folder surface, a folder barpositioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of said shaft andmounted for rotation about said axis, said folder bar having a foldersurface cooperating with said surface of the shaft, means for effectingpredetermined rotation of said shaft with respect to said folder bar,and means on said shaft cooperating with means on said folder bar forthereafter rotating said shaft and folder bar in unison.

12. In a wrapping machine of the character described, a rotatable shafthaving a flattened portion providing a folder surface, a folder barpositioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of said shaft andmounted for rotation about said axis, said folder bar having a foldersurface cooperating with said surface of the shaft, means for rotatingsaid shaft through a predetermined angle of oscillatory movement, andmeans including a loose driving connection between said shaft and saidfolder bar for rotating the folder bar in unison with the shaft during aportion of the oscillatory movement of the shaft.

CLARENCE J. MALI-HOT.

